The EPA justs keeps nibbling away at our freedoms - under the guise of safety.
On April 22, the Lead Paint Rule went into effect. We knew it was coming so it was no surprise. It's just so unnecessary, and such a money maker for them. At over $600 per person to take the one-day certification course and apply for certification, times the number of remodeling, painting, plumbling, electrician, installers, and other trades, and that's a lot of money.
They already made one change. I expect several more. Effective next month, homeowners can't waive the rule by signing a statement saying that there are no children under 6 or women who are pregnant in the home. Now, it applies to all pre-1978 homes regardless. I'm sure they would like to to apply it to all homes, but lead paint was banned after 1978. (Gee, do you suppose some of it still got used after that date?)
Now, they are proposing that this apply to all commercial buildings built before 1978 as well.
It's not a stretch for me to believe that they are going to prohibit homeowners from doing their own work - that they will have to use a certified contractor.
Mind you, the rule applies to any work in the home that disturbs more than 6 square feet of paint on the inside (that's 2' x 3' or the size of cabinet) or 20 square feet on the outside (4' x 5' or roughly the size of an exterior door at 3' x 6'8").
I am intrigued by the magical April 22nd date. Was it OK to disturb as much lead paint as you wanted before then, but now it's so dangerous that it requires certified contractors in hazmat suits and repirators?
I also can foresee Realtors being required to have a lead paint inspection before a pre-1978 home can be listed or sold.
Apparently there are lead poisoning issues in this country - but it comes from peeling paint and other issues that will not be resolved by this expensive, out-of-control, only-to-get-bigger-and-bigger EPA program. Those are environmental issues that exist in the home and likely will until every single, pre-1978 in America is either razed or repainted with latex paint (low VOC, if you like).
We have Dick Nixon to thank for the EPA, and Congress for allowing it to continue to exist. You did know that the EPA is now going to be taxing carbon emissions even though Congress has not authorized it? Even though it is based on faulty science?
The regulations just keep on growing.
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Maybe they should certify soem inspectors to tell us wether or not there is any oil in the gulf.
Is this a local law that was passed in Florida? We still use the same disclosure forms here in Texas and I havent heard of any changes yet.
Hugh,
Don't think it would help. :)
Steve
Mike,
The Lead Paint Rule is national. Disclosure forms don't have anything to do with actual remodeling work. :)
Steve
Steve - I think we have yet to feel the impact of the new lead paint ruling. It could significantly affect home sales and remodeling costs.
John,
For older properties, it definitely will impact sales and remodeling - and drive up costs. I expect the regulations to become even stronger and more expensive. :)
Steve
Steve- Lead paint ingestion is rarely fatal but does cause brain damage and the reduces ones ability to reason and learn.
I think lead paint is a leading cause of liberalism so the question I have is, why does obama want to weaken his base of support?
Steve,
The EPA is certainly a good example of the "slippery slope" theory.
Rich
I am now a CERTIFIED RENNOVATOR * I have the plastic cleaning card, the book AND the WHITE SUIT to prove it. My certification is in the e-mail somewhere in 7 to 10 days!!!
Larry,
Excellent question. Thanks. :)
Steve
Rich,
Agreed. Add the Department of Energy to it also. :)
Steve
Wallace,
Congratulations on having the courage to go through with this. :)
Steve
This is another form of communist aggression of government to control the private sector - and get taxpayers to pay more taxes - send more money to government to spend on themselves.
This is going to be a real pain in the neck and if we start needing special inspections before sales...I don't even want to think of it!
I think this rule will lead to lower sales and lower prices for older homes, at least in the short term. I think implementing this now, during the housing sales crisis, is pretty awful timing.
I wonder when they'll mandate that all contractors must be union contractors?
Regarding the EPA Steve. Allowing the EPA to take control of our lives while CIRCUMVENTING THE CONGRESS should not be tolerated by the citizens of this country.
Nick,
Regulation is frequently just another form of taxation. In this case, it is unnecessary. :)
Steve
Barbara-Jo,
As we know, once the governmnet starts regulating something and they get more powerful through doing so, they will look for more ways to use their power. This definitely is possible. :)
Steve
Steve,
I agree. This rule has been in the discussion and implementation stages for a few years, so it was not anything urgent. :)
Steve
Jon,
Maybe just for lead paint remediation work. :)
Steve
Georgia,
The Department of Enegy is doing it, too. The Executive Branch is attempting to be the only branch. Bring on November 2nd. :)
Steve
Let the Sillyness begin!!! I'm available * Have WHITE SUIT * Will Travel!!!
After I have paid $350 for the course, sat in unAC building with 30 contractor-types for 8 HOURS, I will now have to pay $300 to EPA to get my COMPANY Certified.
The Good News is that I can determine if there is lead paint, purchase the EPA approved test kit, fill out the EPA paperwork, instruct NON-Certified workers on proper safety issues AND "CLEAR" the property once the work is done....for PRIVATE property * NOT HUD/Suction 8 properties which is fine with me as I don't manage them anyway.
FYI * The owner/contractor OPT OUT was removed April 23rd so homeowners can NOT sign that they opt out of the process
Wallace,
Yes, the opt-out has been removed effective July 6. Commercial buildings are in the process of being added, and EPA is studying other ways they can expand the program.
Don't forget keeping records for 3 years, being open to EPA surprise audits, and having to share a checklist of everything you did and your certification with the homeowner within 30 days of completion, and have it signed off.:)
Steve
Steve * I get to sign as the property owner since I am the property manager and I don't need to keep a booklet for each job, just the receipts I sign * again, how silly. I can scan and keep electronically.
This is a CYA for me as I will only be doing work when the home is VACANT and it will not contain lead in the area that is effected by any repairs or disturbance of painted surface
Wallace,
Isn't it great that we have come to the point where we have to be certified just in case the government decides it applies to us? :)
Steve